5 Day PADI Learn to Scuba Dive Course

• You will need to bring your swimsuit and a towel as you will be in the water on both days.
• If you have not already completed your dive medical, bring some money to pay direct to the doctor (cash or credit card are fine).
• You will also need money on both days for lunch. On the first day Pro Dive Cairns order lunch in from a local café.  On the second day you can go to a local eatery for lunch or bring your own each day.
  

A lot! Whether you are a diver or a snorkeller, you will be amazed by what the Great Barrier Reef has to offer. There are up to 1500 species of fish, 350 different corals, 400 species of molluscs and 10,000 species of sponges.

Bee stings kill more people than do sharks - but shark attacks make better movies. (Just how cool would Leonardo have looked if he'd been fighting off a bumblebee in The Beach?)

In reality, there are no aquatic animals that routinely attack humans, unless you provoke them by poking them, sticking your hand into their home, or getting too close to one with territorial instincts.
As part of your certification lessons, you'll learn some common-sense precautions. Most of these, however, are more for the protection of sea creatures than of you. You pose a much larger threat to them than they do to you. (Compare, for example, the number of humans who will eat squid sushi today, versus the number of squid who munch on human sushi - ever!)   

Source: http://www.gay-dive.com/faq-scuba.htm

Yes, there are sharks in every ocean. A variety of sharks inhabit the Great Barrier Reef. What we most commonly encounter are smaller species which pose no threat to divers or snorkellers. The shark that Australia is infamous for, the Great White Shark, does not exist in Far North Queensland.

• No - however beer, champagne, red & white wine are available onboard for you to purchase. Please note once any alcohol has touched your mouth you are not allowed to go into the water again until the following day.
  

• PRO DIVE Cairns can store any additional luggage you may have at their retail shop for your trip duration.
• Be aware there is limited space on the boat.
  

• Certification card & log book.
• You will need to take along a towel.  We suggest taking 2 towels along - 1 for when you get out of the water and 1 for showering at night.
• Swimwear.
• Comfortable, casual clothing for 3 days.
• Warm clothes for the evening and pajamas.
• Toiletries i.e. toothbrush, soap, sunscreen etc.
• Please do not bring sleeping bags, bulky luggage, large amounts of money as the account you incur on the boat will be paid direct to the Pro Dive retail shop at the end of the trip.
  

• We operate with smaller numbers to ensure a comfortable and safe diving trip. We hold a maximum of 32 passengers on any of our 3 premium liveaboard vessels (Scubapro, Scubapro II and Scubapro III).
• There will be a mix of skill levels onboard - snorkellers, certified divers and people completing diving courses such as Advanced, Rescue and Divermaster courses.
• 14 cabins twin share (2 single bunk beds)
  - 2 double bed cabins (available at no additional cost however is on request only)
  - 8 showers / toilets (2 on the top deck, 2 on the back dive deck, 2 on the lower forward and 2 on the lower aft)
• For clients completing bookings alone we will arrange a twin share cabin with another person of the same sex. Dive buddies are also arranged at the commencement of each trip.
• Before every dive a dive supervisor conducts a detailed site briefing and is also available to give any assistance to you.

• Yes - your friend / partner will be buddied up with another certified diver onboard while you complete your 4 training dives. After that you will have the opportunity to complete 5 pleasure dives together.
• There is plenty of time throughout the whole trip to snorkel and socialise with a non diver if you are traveling with someone who doesnt dive/snorkel.
  

• Yes PRO DIVE Cairns can provide complimentary transfers from your Cairns & Northern Beaches accommodation, as far as Palm Cove.
• Please Note; Port Douglas & Kuranda transfers are not available.
  Please be aware we dont pick up from Residential houses also.

The Queensland dive industry has the best safety statistics of any diving destination worldwide. Dive operators are required to comply with strict government workplace health and safety standards.

• The warm waters of Tropical North Queensland are ideal for year round diving.
• Water temperature can vary from 22' to 28' Celsius (75' to 85'F).

• It is recommended to have the medical completed prior to starting your open water course.
  
• You can complete your dive medical overseas, however it MUST clearly state it has been done in accordance with Australian Standards (AS4005-1). Please note that your medical must be done to this exact standard otherwise it will not be accepted.
  
• Some medical conditions that can preclude you from diving include heart disease, asthma, diabetes and epilepsy

You must be at least 12 years of age.  For those between 12-14 years old,  a parent/guardian may be required to participate in the course as well.  You must be able to tread water for 10 minutes, swim either 300m with snorkel and fins or 200m without.  You must also be physically fit to dive.  Please refer to our Dive Medical page for more information

Under RTSA standards, the student to instructor ratio never exceeds 8:1, but Pro Dive usually achieves 6:1 or better.